15 May 2017
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There is general consensus in the higher education literature that institutional differentiation is desirable (Meek et al, 1996; van Vught 2007). More diverse systems tend to perform better because they meet diverse student needs, are better equipped to stimulate social mobility through different access points and progression pathways, are better linked to labour markets that increasingly require different types of graduates, and allow for more cost-effective delivery of both education and research through specialisation. Concerns about the capacity of the Australian Unified National System to lead to diversity have been raised since it … [Read more...]

First proper review since 1974
16 March 2016
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Labor will launch a comprehensive review of the vocational education and training sector - equivalent to the landmark Gonski Review into school funding and the Bradley Review of higher education - if it wins office at the next election. The review would be the first such inquiry into the VET sector since the Kangan Report in 1974, which actually coined the term TAFE. The 2011 Gonski review triggered major changes to school funding (albeit, a major tranche of which is now uncertain) while the 2008 Bradley review into higher education led to the uncapping of undergraduate student places, allowing … [Read more...]

Universities Australia | 7 July 2015
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The Office for Teaching and Learning has handed out $4.7 million for grants and fellowships in what is likely to be its last funding round before it is wound up and its role is transferred a new university-based organisation.
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The $4.7 million in grants announced by education minister Christopher Pyne were:
$3.2 million for nine grants supporting leading academics to develop and drive innovation in higher education teaching and learning in key priority areas; and
$1.5 million for 11 OLT fellowships which will lead change to improve graduate … [Read more...]

In Focus
Australia's international education sector continues to develop Edition 611, 6 Jul
In what is already a $17B plus industry, the latest international student data shows further positive trends. There were some 168,023 commencements in YTD April 2015, representing a 9.1% increase over the same period last year. The higher education sector had the largest share of enrolments at 50.... Read more
National
Book Now - August is fast approaching Edition 611, 6 Jul
August is fast approaching and so is the ACPET National Conference and adjoining events. Programs are available online for all events by clicking the below links: Asia Pacific International … [Read more...]

In Focus
The week that was...
This week saw the inaugural roundtable on international education held in Canberra. It was an opportunity for the sector to meet with a range of Ministers’ whose responsibility intersects with international education as an industry.
The roundtable was attended by the Hon Christopher Pyne, Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Ian Macfarlane, Minister for Industry and Trade, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Assistant Minister for Education and Training and Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for … [Read more...]

31 May 2015
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In May The Scan posted 60 items and published 3 editions (#168, #169 and #170) . Regulatory issues in the VET sector continue to attract most reader attention, led by the troubles of ASX-listed private training provider Vocation. There's more than one way to skin a cat and it seems that action under consumer protection laws may prove an increasingly useful way to deal with dodgy providers. The Victorian consumer protection authority successfully prosecuted one notoriously dodgy provider and the national agency has up to 10 providers in its sights for unethical conduct. May is, of course, budget month. Universities Australia's … [Read more...]

29 May 2015
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Australia is betting on plumbers and coffee-shop owners over scientists and researchers to drive the nation’s next wave of economic growth, writes Michael Heath in BloombergBusiness.
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The country that brought you refrigerators, black-box flight recorders, bionic ears and Wi-Fi will cut its research budget by 7 percent over the next 12 months, and another 10% in the following three years. At the same time it’s offering tax cuts and write-offs in this year’s budget for small firms to buy equipment like espresso machines and lawnmowers as the centerpiece of a plan to build a “stronger and … [Read more...]

In Focus
Good Morning Everyone Rod was away for most of last week and he asked me to step in to provide an update on the week.
No doubt you are all aware we had a federal budget brought down last week. There was very little mention of post school education and training. There were however a number of announcements that impact on private providers of education and training. These include:
Visa Applications costs to increase by either the level of the CPI, 5% or 10%.
Reduced taxation and incentives for small business. Obviously this is a positive outcome for our smaller providers.
Higher Education reforms. The various releases from the Government have reinforced the … [Read more...]

ASQA reports compliance concerns in latest Annual Report
Almost three-quarters of registered training organisations (RTOs) are failing to meet a key training and assessment standard, according to the latest annual report of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
The 2013-14 annual report says that even after these RTOs had sought to rectify the situation, there were 21 per cent who were still non-compliant.
“The high level of non-compliance with Standard 15 is a concern for ASQA, as Standard 15 governs training and assessment—the core business of a registered training organisation, and the most critical Standard for ensuring the delivery of quality outcomes,” the report … [Read more...]

In Focus Edition 579, 10 Nov
Our sector is undoubtedly in the middle of one of the largest debates in our history.
The proposed higher education reforms, VET Fee Help growth, contestability and its variances and of course the general debate regarding quality are all creating a significant discussion about the merits of private tertiary education providers.
As you are aware, ACPET is strongly committed to a quality tertiary education sector.
We have met with key stakeholders to address the issue of poor quality and are committed to see such providers eliminated from the sector. Poor outcomes are without question undermining the confidence in what our members actually do very well – … [Read more...]